jmsierra's blog
Posted at 4:46pm on Jun. 2, 2006 NAHJ to interview Ricardo Alarcon at 24th Annual Convention
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues:
This is just mind-boggling news coming via a press release from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. This is the same Ricardo Alarcon, of the Cuban Communist party and part of one of the deadliest regimes in our hemisphere!
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Posted at 1:34am on Feb. 17, 2006 Pennsylvania Decalogue Mural Blurred Out in Photo
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues:
The Pennsylvania court system is bowing down to political correctness. The Associated Press has a story, saying that the Pennsylvania court system was "playing it safe." Ya right! Playing it politically correct is more like it.
More below the fold...
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Posted at 8:56pm on Dec. 10, 2005 Good News for Life in Colombia: US Pro-Abortion Groups Rejected
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues. Finalist for best Latino Blog, 2005 Weblog Awards. Vote now.
U.S. pro-abortion groups are not satisfied with the millions of babies murdered domesticly, and continue their campaigns promoting the culture of death around the world. CitizenLink had good news from Colombia in yesterday's email.
The highest court in Colombia rejected an effort by US-based pro-abortion organizations to push their agenda in Colombia, according to Human Life International.
The US-based Women's Link Worldwide, International Planned Parenthood Federation and Catholics for a Free Choice had joined forces in an attempt to overthrow Colombia's constitutional protection of pre-born children.
The Rev. Tom Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, said the groups sought to have the Constitutional Court of Colombia remove any mention of abortion from the nation's penal code.
The ruling means abortion continues to be against the law in the South American nation.
"Copyright (c) 2005, Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article appeared in Citizenly Daily Update published Dec. 9, 2005, a policy and culture information service of Focus on the Family. For more information, see http://www.citizenlink.org."
With our domestic courts wrongly relying on International law for domestic rulings, besides the threat to pre-born babies around the world, these "export" strategies do presents a danger to the US. US based pro-life groups need to increase their partnership with local organizations and churches in Latin America and around the world to fight this threat.
Pro-Life Blogs has more on the story.
"This was truly a case of David vs. Goliath," said Garcia-Jones. "These organizations had been actively involved in this case for months and many had filed briefs with the Constitutional Court of Colombia. Thankfully, their efforts were fruitless."Thanks to the countless efforts of pro-lifers, the Constitutional Court of Colombia declared this past Thursday that the attempt to legalize abortion in Colombia had failed.
Cross posted at Latino Issues. Finalist for best Latino Blog, 2005 Weblog Awards. Vote now.
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Posted at 3:53pm on Dec. 9, 2005 CO's Rocky Mountain News Notes Cuban Military Numbers
By jmsierra
Cross posted on Latino Issues, Finalist Best Latino Blog, 2005 Weblog Awards. Vote Now.
The CO Rocky Mountain News highlighted some numbers in last weekend's edition, regarding the Cuban Military.
- 49th Anniversary of Cuba's so-called revolutionary armed forces.
- 300,000 at the peak of the island's troop strength during the early 60's.
- 46,000 active troops in Cuba today.
If we are going to highlight the Cuban numbers and anniversaries, let's make sure we are fair and celebrate all of the horrid, inhuman, and violent numbers Castro has to celebrate. Hat tip to The Real Cuba.
- 3 years since the date when Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, a Cuban prisoner of conscience and a real Christian, was sent to jail. He is now reported to be seriously ill and suffering from chronic gastritis and hypertension.
- 25 year prison term - imposed on Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet after an unfair trial in 2003 for his non-violent advocacy of human rights - are deteriorating.
- 43 years ago Castro's Terrorist targeted Macy's
On Nov. 17, 1962, J. Edgar Hoovers' FBI cracked a terrorist plot (though the term "terrorist" was not used at the time) by Castro-Cuban agents that targeted Macy's, Gimbel's, Bloomingdale's and Manhattan's Grand Central Station with a dozen incendiary devices and 500 kilos of TNT. The holocaust was set to go off the following week, the day after Thanksgiving.
A little perspective: for their March 2004 Madrid subway blasts -- all 10 of them -- that killed and maimed almost 2,000 people, al Qaeda used a grand total of 100 kilos of TNT. Fidel Castro's agents planned to set off five times that explosive power in the three biggest department stores on earth, all packed to suffocation and pulsing with holiday cheer on the year's biggest shopping day. Thousands of New Yorkers, including women and children -- actually, given the date and targets, probably mostly women and children -- were to be incinerated and entombed.
Read the article by Humberto Fontova
Like this, there are thousands of numbers, celebrating Castro's regime. This is the eral Castro and the real Cuba.
Cross posted on Latino Issues, Finalist Best Latino Blog, 2005 Weblog Awards. Vote Now.
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Posted at 2:37am on Dec. 7, 2005 Vote for Latino Issues for Best Latino, Caribbean, or South American Blog
By jmsierra
Hi Everyone,
My regular blog, Latino Issues is a finalist for the "Best Latino, Caribbean, or South American Blog" category.
I want to invite RedState.org readers who have read my diary to vote for Latino Issues and help me win this one. While you are at it, head on over and check out my posts and become a regular reader.
I am also using this opportunity to ask readers to post comments and feedback on Latino Issues. So, if you have read my diary here on Red State, I want to invite you to head over to my open feedback thread and let me know what you think.
- Josue Sierra
http://latinoissues.blogspot.com/2005/12/latino-issues-weblog-awards-finali
st.html
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Posted at 11:44am on Nov. 9, 2005 France: Values do matter
By jmsierra
I have not commented much on the situation in France, because I have never been there. But, as the conversation goes towards the effects of immigration, the challenge of assimilation, and all the related issues, I find the topic important in how it relates to our own immigration challenges.
Of course, no doubt there is a HUGE difference between Muslim immigrants in France, and our own immigrants. The main difference, as I have read others mention, is the worldview and value system. Immigrants from Central and South America have a mostly Judeo-Christian worldview, rooted in Catholicism. The major challenge we face is probably language.
Alberto Mohler focused in on the root of the issue, the value system.
Ever since the French Revolution, France has attempted to create a truly secular society. In one sense, they have been hugely successful. Active Christianity is embraced by very few French citizens. But, as is always the case, secularism creates a vacuum at the very center of civilization. These rioting young men want to fill that vacuum with Muslim rage. Secularism has consequences.
I'm not saying secularism is our problem, but what are the value systems we are espousing that will hinder proper assimilation and integration of our immigrants?
I for one think that welfare mentality, lawsuits run amok, and entitlement attitudes are the things that are poisoning some of our immigrants from becoming hard working, integrated individuals.
Of course, its not all this simple. There is a lot more issues that are challenging our culture in general, from the battle for life, to the idea of small government. It's all in the values we adopt, and we transmit to new immigrants that arrive. They learn quickly.
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Posted at 4:42pm on Nov. 8, 2005 KDaddy's Rhetoric Sounds Like Racism
By jmsierra
I posted this originaly as a response to a new Diary contributor, KDaddy. I thought it was worth posting as a full diary entry.
If this post feels a bit heavy, please understand that this man has questioned my loyalty to my country, my patriotism, and my moral fortitude. He insulted my father and grandfather--the Cuban people--and basically called them cowards. How would you feel?
As much as assimilation is a problem, and some of KDaddy's concerns are valid, this cannot be an excuse for racism and hate towards immigrants.
Beware of those that would foster hate and extremism for the sake of a immoral racial arrogance. Patriotism should never call for racism.
I would invite you all to read a few exchanges between the author of this post, and myself--a child of immigrants.
You tell me--am I a threat to this nation? Do individuals like me--sworn loyal, English speaking citizens--present a threat to our cultural values? Read Latino Issues and you decide.
Posts related to KDaddy, his blog and his comments to me as a son of immigrants:
Immigrants are Patriots Too
Ethnic Arrogance and Racism?
Compassion Regarding Immigrants
This post will give you a hint at my positions on immigration. Immigration: The No Truth Zone
I'm sorry KDaddy--your racist perspectives, attitudes and words take away from the importance of the discussion--the problem of illegal immigration, assimilation, and the American culture.
Mkamornick, you are correct. Most Latinos are against illegal immigration. Most illegal immigrants are law abiding individuals, who in desperation and frustration, have illegally entered this country. This should not be allowed, but there is a lot that can be done on our side.
I agree--we must protect our borders. Border security is a simple problem--secure it. Illegal immigrants in this country is a more complex issue. How do you correct the problem of years of lack of immigration enforcement, and at the same time, consider the lives of thousands? I don't know, but there has to be a solution, and we must live under the order and rule of law.
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Posted at 2:03pm on Nov. 2, 2005 Denver voters approved measure making ounce of marijuana possesion legal
By jmsierra
City dwellers can be scary! What sort of message does this send to children? Is this the 20th century, or are we regressing in time and intellectual progress?
I'm glad the city attorney's office has found a way around it. The Denver Post buried it in the last paragraph of this story.
They also approved a measure to make it legal for adults to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in Denver, though the city attorney's office said police would simply file marijuana possession charges under state law.
Sensible Denver residents got hit by a bunch of pot-heads.
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Posted at 1:56pm on Nov. 2, 2005 Colorado residents have voted to suspend their Taxpayer's Bill of Rights
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues:
I am concerned about what this will do to our growing economy, and our money-hungry state government. This is a serious setback for true conservatives. Owen's betrayed the fiscal restraint values of the party. What is frustrating is the scare tactics used by the pro-Ref C & D people--outright lies. Here comes all the spending!
Colorado residents have voted to suspend their Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, the strictest government spending limit in the nation, and give up more than $3 billion in tax refunds to help the state bounce back from a recession. Fiscal conservatives were dismayed at the outcome Tuesday night and worried about its impact on other states considering similar spending limits.
ELECTION RESULTS LINK VIA DENVER POST:
Click here for election returns
Click here for county-by-county graphic
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Posted at 12:43pm on Nov. 2, 2005 Black Democrats: Raciall Attacks against Lt. Gov. Steele Fair Because He is Republican.
By jmsierra
This is the truth right here about the left, and about liberal's views on minorities. It is a shame that other blacks would stoop so low to do this sort of thing. The liberal community is going all out on in attacking Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele in his bid for the U.S. Senate.
Black Democratic leaders in Maryland say that racially tinged attacks against Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele in his bid for the U.S. Senate are fair because he is a conservative Republican.Such attacks against the first black man to win a statewide election in Maryland include pelting him with Oreo cookies during a campaign appearance, calling him an "Uncle Tom" and depicting him as a black-faced minstrel on a liberal Web log.
Operatives for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) also obtained a copy of his credit report -- the only Republican candidate so targeted.
But black Democrats say there is nothing wrong with "pointing out the obvious."
So, who has the positive solutions? What party cares the most about minorities and helping the poor succeed and move up in life? The Demcorats? I think not. These "so-called" black Democrat leaders in Maryland are revealed for what they truly are--racists, and bigots.
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Posted at 11:40pm on Oct. 23, 2005 Compassion Must be Voluntary, Vote No for CO Ref. C & D
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues:
I found this interesting comment from a Denver Post reader reacting to Bob Ewegen's column, "People of Faith rally to C and D." The reader is right on.
I too have found that the arguments in favor of referendum C & D are great arguments for compassion, but they ignore that coerced and forced compassion is no compassion at all.
Why is it that Liberals and the left just can't seem to grasp this? Worst, it seems, more and more Republicans, in an attempt to compete against Democrats for the "caring" category in politics, are falling for these sort of arguments and losing their ground as far as fiscal spending. And at the end of it all, false coerced compassion at the hands of the government is no compassion at all--its just another expensive fat welfare program.
In aruging for Referendums C & D, Bob Ewegen is correct that the principles of all major religions teach that we have a moral obligation to care for the poor and disadvantaged. But voting to take from some to give to others doesn't count as compassion.
Each person must decide whether and how to assist the poor using his or her own time, talent, and treasure. There is nothing wrong with collective efforts, but participation must be voluntary. The problem with C and D is that they are government solutions, founded on coercion.
Rich Cantillon, Centennial, CO. (The Denver Post, Saturday, October 22, 2005; Page 15C)
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Posted at 1:55am on Oct. 23, 2005 CO Denver Post in Favor of all Proposed Tax Increases
By jmsierra
Cross posted atLatino Issues:
I suppose this is to be expected, but I was still amazed at what I discovered in today's Denver Post endorsements list.
On state ballot measures, Denver Post is endorsing both referendum C & D. Now, C is being debated, but to let the state borrow money on income that is not guaranteed is simply insane. But, wait! There is more!
In Aurora, Issue 1A--a property tax increase--Denver Post says YES. In Denver, Issue 1-A--a hotel tax increase--Denver post says YES. In Lakewood, Question 2A--a sales tax increase--Denver Post says YES.
The Denver Post also lists City Council, and School board members it is endorsing. I don't have the time tonight to look up each name, but I wonder how many of those names are registered Democrats. I would bet most of them.
I realize many of you may be asking, "What's the big deal...Its to be expected." But, to me, its important that this ALWAYS be a big deal. Bloggers need to continue saying it, calling them out on it, and making the public continually aware of the bias in the media. It matters, because many rely on the media for information and insight--of which they provide with a political agenda in mind. Ultimately, a biased mainstream media weakens our nation and our liberties.
Thank God for the blogsphere and independent media. They have taken the baton and risen to the call. Perhaps, the truth be told, mainstream media is well on the way to being irrelevant.
Other Posts at Latino Issues:
The Importance of English for Immigrant Assimilation
In California, Spanish is more important than English
WORKER'S COMPENSATION FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS
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Posted at 1:16am on Oct. 22, 2005 Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard: Deeply Concerned with the Current Deficit
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues:
On October 4th, I wrote a letter to Colorado's Sen. Allard and Salazar asking for their comments and commitment to cutting pork. The first response to my letters came into my email box this morning from senator Wayne Allard.
Below is the full email text. In it, the senator states he is "deeply concerned with the current deficit, particularly the portion of it comprised of new discretionary spending. Every time new programs are added to the Budget a long term fiscal obligation is created." He concluded his response saying, "If we must change Senate rules, current law, or even amend the Constitution to instill fiscal discipline in this process so be it."
These are strong words, and I appreciate the Senator's willingness to make it on the record. Myself, as I am sure many other voters, now hope to see results in a leaner government that spends less.
The great problem in our nation is that there are still millions who continue to demand much from our government, and live out their lives with an entitlement mentality.
More below the fold.
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Posted at 12:30pm on Oct. 19, 2005 In California, Spanish is more important than English
By jmsierra
Cross posted at Latino Issues:
I wish this was not so, but it is what it is. To be clear, I am not against legal immigrants retaining the knowledge and history of their culture, including language, as long as there is an intentional process of assimilation--which must include basic history of America, and a grasp of the English language. It goes to show for the need for better efforts towards integration and assimilation in the major immigrant states. This quote comes via IconCulture email Iconwatch.
In California, Spanish is more important than English. I haven't found any inconvenience because I don't speak English & I don't need to speak English. If you can speak Spanish, you can drive, employers can have clients, you can order in restaurants, you can do anything.
MARTIN PAIK, A SPANISH-SPEAKING KOREAN IMMIGRANT TO LOS ANGELES BY WAY OF ARGENTINA, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS 9.26.05
The post has received some great comments from readers over at Latino Issues. Below are a few:
...many Americans who go abroad are guilty of the same attitudes - because they find that English is spoken pretty much everywhere. Fine for when you visit, but I would still encourage folks to learn the language if you live there for any length of time. It helps in so many ways, not least of which it helps you understand the people!
Timmer ~ Righting America | Homepage |Are the 'ChinaTowns' around the country any different. Why should anyone be surprised then when another group comes over here and retains their culture? Time will be the factor here as the children and children's children will inheret the culture of Norte America.
Latino Pundit | Homepage |I agree with you that learning English is important not only to the vitality of an individual in this country, but also the cohesion of this country.
That being said. I can't count the number of friends I have had that have lived and worked in foreign countries (mainly Europe) and never bothered to learn the language.
dingo | Homepage |
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Posted at 12:19pm on Oct. 19, 2005 Referendum C & D -- Compassion, True and False
By jmsierra
Cross posted on Latino Issues:
For some that may wonder why it is I am against Colorado's referendum C & D, despite support by many Republicans and businesses, I would like to suggest you read this article. Matt Kaufman at Boundless.org articulates with great insight the dangers of government-forced "compassion". Referendum C & D supporters may have great compassionate motivations for forcing the rest of us CO residents to fork over our hard-earned money, but it does our State no good.
My argument is that while the motives may be great, the methods are not the best or the right ones. If you want to argue that there are problems with TABOR, that's fine, but weakening it is not the solution, and giving more money to our State politicians to spend is not going to improve anything.
You can argue for some government programs on the grounds that they're necessary, and that no other alternatives will do: The argument may be wrong in many cases, but it's not inherently dishonest. You can't, however, seriously claim that any government programs are driven by compassion. Compassion, as I'm wont to point out, is voluntary by definition; coerced compassion is a contradiction in terms. And there's nothing voluntary about government. Government, by nature, is all about coercion: You pay up, or else. That brute fact doesn't change whether a state is popular or unpopular, a democracy or a dictatorship; it's still forcing some people to pay into programs they didn't choose to fund on their own. Those who run the state know this full well. They don't settle for inviting folks to contribute to even the most (allegedly) popular programs. They'd never consider setting the precedent.
Again, you can argue over whether force is necessary in a given case. You can argue over whether it's wise or just. But you can't get away with the Orwellian claim that force is choice. Force can at best restrain vice, but it cannot create any virtue -- not compassion, not charity, not love. And to pretend otherwise is likely to end up making a mockery of those very virtues.
I got firsthand experience of this reality 20 years ago, when I lived for a time in Washington, D.C. I quickly learned that the city was overwhelmingly cynical, run by politicians and bureaucrats who felt perfectly free to squander millions and billions of dollars, unencumbered by any sense of obligation to the folk back home. Not only were they famously profligate with other people's money, they gave nothing in return. They were consistently and famously unresponsive to the general public: If you needed help, you were out of luck, unless you happened to be (or work for) a Big Shot.
The whole experience was summed up for me one day while riding the subway. The car was mostly empty until it stopped near the largest domestic government agency, what's now known as Health and Human Services around 5:00. A wave of people packed every seat, and from their age and dress as well as the location, it was obvious most were welfare-state employees on the way home from the office -- people whose supposed profession was "caring" for "human needs."
At the next stop, a man on crutches got on; now here was a man with human needs. Yet I watched him make his way slowly, with difficulty, from the far end of the car, while not one of the healthy, well-dressed Caring Professionals got up to give him a seat. Finally he reached the back of the car, where I gave him mine. Though I didn't make a show of it, several people gave me dirty looks. It was as if such a minor act of decency had broken the unspoken social rule -- Every Man for Himself -- and held each of them up to shame. Only instead of hanging their heads guiltily, they were glaring resentfully.
This is what you get when government officially assumes the role of caregiver to the nation: You get not a more caring government, but a more callous "caregiver." To make matters worse, you get a more callous population. Among the evils of the welfare state is that it encourages people to think of caring for the needy as someone else's problem -- to think "I pay my taxes, so I've done my part." The result is an attitude less like the Good Samaritan's than the Pharisee who imagines he's attained righteousness by living up to man-made rules.
Make sure to read the full essay. It holds some great thoughts on what defines true compassion, and provides valuable lessons for discerning the intentions of politicians and governments.
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